Art Nouveau and other architecture wonders from St. Lazare to Opera

Meet your guide outside the impressive Saint Lazare train station in central Paris to begin your Art Nouveau walking tour. Paris’ 8th and 9th arrondissements are widely considered home to some of the city’s finest architecture, and a glance upward from the colorful window displays reveals the true charm of this beautiful part of the French capital.

 

Head to bustling Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement and admire the imposing facade of the Galeries Lafayette — widely considered Paris’ finest department store. Listen as your guide describes the architectural fashions which shaped this imposing building, then step inside to be wowed by the towering stained-glass dome ceiling and gilded balconies.

 

Continue onward to the Palais Garnier — Paris’ world-famous opera house — and marvel at the building’s spectacular structure and ornate stonework. Built in the late 19th-century, the Palais Garnier is considered as much a symbol of Paris as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame Cathedral and its beauty continues to captivate visitors to this day.

 

Visit a traditional Parisian brasserie during your tour and admire the spectacular Art Nouveau architecture as you enjoy your drink. Then, head back out into the bustling city. After two hours admiring Art Nouveau architecture in Paris’ 8th and 9th arrondissements, your tour concludes on Boulevard Haussmann.